"The definition of faith given in this
verse, and exemplified in the various instances following, undoubtedly
includes justifying faith, but not directly as justifying. For faith
justifies only as it refers to, and depends on, Christ. But here is no
mention of him as the object of faith; and in several of the instances
that follow, no notice is taken of him or his salvation, but only of
temporal blessings obtained by faith. And yet they may all be considered
as evidences of the power of justifying faith in Christ, and of its
extensive exercise in a course of steady obedience amidst difficulties and
dangers of every kind."

"The old meaning of substance, as well
as of Hupostasis, the Greek word here used, is "stand under," that is to
be a foundation. Faith is the foundation on which all our hopes for the
future are built."

"What the exemplars of faith show us is that, like many aspects of life, faith is a matter of learning by doing. We all have to strike out on faith without really knowing where we’re going, or whether we even have faith. But in the process, we discover despite our unbelief the seeds of faith growing in our hearts."

"Hope in the final full actualization of
the kingdom of God can sustain our commitment to improve life here on
earth...But the virtue of hope must be rooted in faith in God, not mere
optimism about human beings? capacity for self-improvement."